A stable 2005 for the Spanish ceramic industry suppliers

Feb 01, 2006

31/01/06 - The Spanish ceramic industry suppliers – including machinery manufacturers and producers of frits, glazes and colours – have reported 2005 results substantially in line with those of 2004.
This is the picture that emerges from the initial figures provided to Ceramic World Review by the chairmen of the sectors’ respective trade associations, ASEBEC and ANFFECC.
According to Mr Ortells, chairman of ASEBEC, apart from some small variations the Spanish machinery suppliers expect to maintain similar levels of turnover in 2005 to those of 2004 (213 million euro). This applies to both domestic market sales and exports, which are estimated to have remained stable at around 40 million euro.

The glaze, frit, and colour producers belonging to ANFFECC have reported a similar situation.
The association’s chairman Mr Gonzalvo confirms that the sector companies have maintained the 2004 levels, with exports remaining at around 60%.
However, just like the tile producers, in 2005 the glaze and colour sector was similarly penalised by the sharp increases in energy prices (gas prices rose by 60%) and in raw materials (an average increase of 15%).
There are concerns about the possibility of maintaining the Spanish industry’s high quality and research standards. Likewise for the glaze and colour producers, the rising production costs are pushing up average selling prices (by 5-20% depending on the products, composition and markets).

One of the most important initiatives launched within the Spanish ceramic industry to counter the rise in energy prices is the creation of a private natural gas supplier company called Encersa, headed by Pamesa chairman Fernando Roig. Encersa will supply energy to the 24 founding companies as well as other companies that wish to take part in the scheme, thus breaking the current market monopoly.
Some of the glaze and colour companies with a shareholding in the new company are Esmalglass, Esmaltes, Quimicer, Ferro and Vernis.